Realistic Transfer Targets January 2011

[JH]

We'll be lucky to see HBA back before April IMO.

 

Routledge and Barton will do for the right (Gosling can play there too can't he? When's he due back?) Whilst CF is the absolute priority, LM is not far behind.

[wormy]

Just don't see how it's a particular thing we should try and improve upon on January tbh. He's doing a good job there, even if we just keep him there for the season like I say. I can see where people are coming from on the no need to upgrade on the left either, as they expect HBA to replace Jonas there in a few months. I admit I'm dreaming of HBA taking the centre role of Nolan's.

[lovejoy]

As much as I don't like jonas, I see a greater need on the right than left (granted this is because i have the blind hope that hba will return the same player) Simply because I see jonas as the lesser of two evils between him and routledge.

 

Take the point on Barton and priorities though. Was just so frustrated with the wingers today, coupled with being impressed by Barton in a central role, that I'm desperate to see us recruit in that area.

[lovejoy]

If it's April for hba, then we're having a very different conversation btw. I'm basing my priorities on a feb return.

[JH]

The last two times Routledge has started, he's outshone Jonas. He's not good, but he's more effective than Jonas IMO

[Dave]

If it's April for hba, then we're having a very different conversation btw. I'm basing my priorities on a feb return.

 

Not a chance IMO.

[wormy]

When the media talk about HBA's return, I think they're making it sound better than it is and they're really meaning full training return. Then for him to get to match fitness, get maybe a few reserve games under his belt, sub appearances, and then to start a game. He'll have very few games left to play this season. And even then he'll take a while to capture any sort of proper form.

 

I refuse to get excited about HBA tbh, pessimistic it may be, but I consider this season a write off for him.

 

(What on earth just happened to the forum?? My heart stopped )

[Ronaldo]

The last two times Routledge has started, he's outshone Jonas. He's not good, but he's more effective than Jonas IMO

 

In his last 2 starts at home he's been just about our best player.

[Nobody]

Honestly can't believe how unpopular Routledge is here. He was certainly one of our best players in the Championship, he proper took the piss out of that league and he was good against Chelsea and even better today. People seem to be basing their opinion of him from a few games at the start of the season when he was playing in front of Perch.

People are saying it's madness to "play two players out of position" when I suggest we play Routledge LW and Barton RW, but considering Barton is putting in great performance after great performance on the right, why would we want to change that? And with Jonas getting worse by the game, Routledge needs to be given a chance on that side. He would have to do a fucking terrible job there to be worse than Jonas atm.

[wormy]

Full agreement.

[Ronaldo]

It's true, like. Routledge was probably our best player in the final 5 months of last season. Seeing what he did to teams like Coventry and Blackpool genuinely had my beaming for days. Not in a long time had I seen an NUFC winger destroy teams like that.

[Yorkie]

Just don't get what's wrong with keeping Barton on the right when he's been so good there, and we've won games with him there. Routledge is good cover.

[wormy]

Exactly. The only argument against Barton on the right is 'it's not his natural position'. It's his most useful position for us, right now. That's the most important thing. To move Barton to the middle means ditching Nolan. Not gonna happen. It's gonna put Nolan back off the shoulder of Carroll, and he's much less effective. Overall, Barton in the middle would be more of a detriment to the team than Barton on the right.

[midds]

Horses for courses.

 

Barton HAS to play. He's our best midfielder imo and must start if he's fit. I like Routledge and his pace worries teams. I'd play him against poorer teams as he could really hurt them. 

[wormy]

Still wouldn't mind seeing Routledge replace Jonas for a few games, see how he'd do.

[ChrisMcQuillan]

Still wouldn't mind seeing Routledge replace Jonas for a few games, see how he'd do.

 

Dropping him for Routledge might well give him the smack he needs to try a little harder in the final third.

[wormy]

I've always been a fan of Jonas. Even up until recently. But there's only so long we can carry a player that needs a 'kick up the ass' every few games. There's a point where we just need a more reliable player. He's not good enough, even on his day, to be let off for that.

[ChrisMcQuillan]

I've always been a fan of Jonas. Even up until recently. But there's only so long we can carry a player that needs a 'kick up the ass' every few games. There's a point where we just need a more reliable player. He's not good enough, even on his day, to be let off for that.

 

Yeah, but we have that in Ben Arfa.

 

Just not for the next month or two.

[wormy]

Everyone keeps ruining my dream of HBA in the middle!

[Guest rosstoon]

HBA to sign a 5 year deal plus another strike lined up.  I think if we can do this and get Barton and Jose and Colo all on extended contracts that would suit me. Plus if being greedy a right and left winger who can create a cross or 2

[joeyt]

If Wolves go down (and we stay up) I'd like us to try for Milijas. I know this is more of a realistic summer target

[Optimistic Nut]

Ship Jonas back off to La Liga and have a look at Downing?

[Dave]

Not sure how Stewart Downing is realistic, especially when people think we couldn't afford Matt Jarvis.

[Optimistic Nut]

Didn't realise he had to be more realistic but I reckon we could attract him back to the North East.

[Disco]

Downing would cost a lot of money and would have little resale value that would be higher so no chance IMO.